Trim breaker for a structural cabinet that incorporates a structural glass contact surface

ABSTRACT

A refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breaker extending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes a liner portion coupled with the inner liner, a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper and an outer glazing member that extends between the liner and wrapper portions. An external surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closed position.

FIELD OF THE DEVICE

The device is in the field of structural cabinets for appliances, andmore specifically, a trim breaker for a structural cabinet that includesa glass and steel trim breaker that connects the inner liner and theouter wrapper.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DEVICE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeratingappliance includes an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a trim breakerextending between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define aninsulating cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes a linerportion coupled with the inner liner, a wrapper portion coupled to theouter wrapper and an outer glazing member that extends between the linerand wrapper portions. An external surface of the outer glazing memberdefines a contact surface that is configured to receive a seal of anoperable panel in a closed position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a structuralcabinet for an appliance includes an outer glazing member, an innerglazing member offset from the outer glazing member and an inner linerand an outer wrapper that cooperatively define a glazing receptacle. Theouter glazing member engages an outer portion of the glazing receptacleand the inner glazing member engages an inner portion of the glazingreceptacle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a trimbreaker for an appliance cabinet includes a metallic liner portion thatis configured to attach to an inner liner, a metallic wrapper portionthat is configured to attach to an outer wrapper and inner and outerglazing members that extend between the liner and wrapper portions. Theouter glazing member is configured to define a contact surface thatreceives an operable panel in a closed position and the inner glazingmember is configured to partially define an insulating cavity.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an appliance that incorporates astructural cabinet having the glass and steel trim breaker;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an aspect of the glass and steeltrim breaker;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the glass and steel trimbreaker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structural cabinet ofFIG. 1, taken along line IV-IV and showing engagement of the glass andsteel trim breaker with the metallic inner liner and the metallic outerwrapper;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an appliance cabinetshowing the interface between the glass and steel trim breaker and anoperable panel in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is an alternative cross-sectional view of the structural cabinetof FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the glass and steel trim breaker used inconnection with a structural cabinet having an interior mullion; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the glass and steel trimbreaker of FIG. 7.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations ofmethod steps and apparatus components related to a trim breaker for anappliance cabinet. Accordingly, the apparatus components and methodsteps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbolsin the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinentto understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not toobscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the descriptionherein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings representlike elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unlessstated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of theelement closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer tothe surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, itis to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a trimbreaker used in connection with a structural cabinet 12 for an appliance14, where the trim breaker 10 includes at least one structural glassmember 16 for partially supporting the structural cabinet 12 anddefining an insulating cavity 18 therein. According to various aspectsof the device, the structural cabinet 12 for an appliance 14, such as arefrigerating appliance 14, includes an inner liner 20 and an outerwrapper 22 to define an insulating cavity 18 therebetween. The trimbreaker 10 includes a liner portion 24 that is coupled with an innerliner 20 and a wrapper portion 26 that is coupled with the outer wrapper22. The structural glass member 16 can include an outer glazing member28 that extends between the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. Anexternal surface 30 of the outer glazing member 28 defines the contactsurface 32 that is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel 36,when the operable panel 36 is in a closed position 38. It iscontemplated that the structural glass member 16 of the trim breaker 10can also include an inner glazing member 40 that is coupled to the linerand wrapper portions 24, 26. An interior surface 132 of the innerglazing member 40 is configured to partially define the insulatingcavity 18 within the structural cabinet 12.

According to various aspects of the device, the inner liner 20 and theouter wrapper 22 are typically metallic members that form the outerwalls 50 of the structural cabinet 12. The liner and wrapper portions24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 are also metallic, typically steel, andcan be welded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 to form anairtight or substantially airtight seal at the location of the trimbreaker 10. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 are then attachedto the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and define an edge surface 52of the structural cabinet 12. As discussed above, this edge surface 52of the structural cabinet 12 is typically in the form of a contactsurface 32 that receives one or more operable panels 36 in a closedposition 38.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2-6, the outer glazing member 28 typicallyengages an outer surface 60 of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. Inthis manner, the outer glazing member 28 can define a contact surface 32for the trim breaker 10 and for the structural cabinet 12. The innerglazing member 40 typically engages an inner surface 62 of the liner andwrapper portions 24, 26. Through this engagement, the outer glazingmember 28 is offset from the inner glazing member 40 to define aninterstitial space 64 therebetween. This interstitial space 64 can beused as an insulating space 66 of the trim breaker 10 for slowing orlimiting the transfer of heat 112 from areas outside of the structuralcabinet 12 to insulated compartments 68 within the structural cabinet12. To provide additional insulation at the trim breaker 10, theinterstitial space 64 defined between the outer glazing member 28 andthe inner glazing member 40 can be defined by an at least partial vacuum70. It is contemplated that this interstitial space 64 can include aninsulating material 72. This insulating material 72 can include, but isnot limited to, one or more insulating gasses, foam insulation, fumedsilica, precipitated silica, other silica-based material, perlite, glassspheres, hollow glass spheres, combinations thereof and other similarinsulating materials 72.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 ofthe trim breaker 10 can be welded to the inner liner 20 and outerwrapper 22. In this manner, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 aswell as the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 can be made of steel,alloys thereof, or other similar metallic material that can form awelded connection. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can bebonded, welded or otherwise attached to the liner and wrapper portions24, 26 of the trim breaker 10 via various connecting mechanisms andmethods. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be attached tothe liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 via various bonding adhesives thatcan include a polymer glazing such as butyl, frit soldering, epoxy,silicone, various sealants, and other similar bond adhesives. It is alsocontemplated that the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can beattached to the liner and wrapper portion 24, 26 via glass welding,typically used in combination with one or more sealant materials.

According to various aspects of the device, the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 can be made of various materials. These materials caninclude, but are not limited to, glass, tempered glass, ceramic,combinations thereof, and other similar glazing materials that can beused in structural applications. In various aspects, the material of theouter glazing member 28 may be the same material as that of the innerglazing member 40. The outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 may alsobe made of different materials. Because the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 are positioned at different locations and may engagedifferent materials, the different materials may be selected to addressthe differing conditions experienced by the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40.

Through the use of the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40, thestructural cabinet 12 can experience reduced permeation of gas throughthe area of the trim breaker 10, when compared to trim breakers 10 thatare made of plastic or other similar polymer-type material. The use ofthe outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 also provide resistance tolarge thermal strain that may be experienced over a large temperaturerange. These temperatures may be experienced during use of the appliance14, such as where a refrigerator is stored in a garage or other outdooror semi-outdoor area. These extreme temperatures are also experiencedduring manufacture, transport, and storage of the appliance 14.

By way of example, where a particular appliance 14 is transported orstored in a metal container, the temperatures within these containerscan regularly exceed 45° C. or more. In these extreme temperatures,conventional plastic or polymer trim members may experience greaterdegrees of gas permeation through the material of the conventional trimmember that can result in a degradation of the vacuum contained withinthe insulating cavity 18. These extreme temperatures can also result ina structural weakening of the plastic and polymer material ofconventional trim members.

Using the trim breaker 10 that contains the metallic liner and wrapperportions 24, 26 and the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40, greaterresistance to gas permeation is achieved as well as greater resistanceto thermal strain over large temperature ranges. Additionally, glass andsteel can be relatively inexpensive materials to manufacture and alsowork with during manufacture of a particular structural cabinet 12.Accordingly, using the various aspects of the trim breaker 10 disclosedherein, the use of welding techniques and relatively convenient bondinggeometry for forming the trim breaker 10, and also attaching a trimbreaker 10 to the remainder of the structural cabinet 12 can achievecost savings, faster production time and use of fewer resources.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the structural cabinet 12 for theappliance 14 can include the outer glazing member 28 and the innerglazing member 40 that is offset from the outer glazing member 28. Theinner liner 20 and the outer wrapper 22 cooperatively define a glazingreceptacle 80. This glazing receptacle 80 can be in the form of theliner portion 24 and wrapper portion 26 that are welded to the innerliner 20 and outer wrapper 22, respectively. During manufacture, it iscontemplated that the liner portion 24 and wrapper portion 26 can bewelded to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22, and then subsequentlythe outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be adhered to the linerand wrapper portions 24, 26 that form the glazing receptacle 80.

In alternative aspects of the device, it is contemplated that the trimbreaker 10 can be formed where the outer and inner glazing members 28,40 are adhered to the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 in one assemblylocation. This trim breaker 10, in the form of an assembly, can then beattached to the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22 as a subsequentmanufacturing step in forming the structural cabinet 12.

During the formation of the trim breaker 10, the outer glazing member 28typically engages an outer portion of the glazing receptacle 80 and theinner glazing member 40 engages an inner portion of the glazingreceptacle 80. Through this configuration, the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 can be offset from one another to form the interstitialspace 64 therebetween. As discussed above, this interstitial space 64can be used as an additional insulating feature of the structuralcabinet 12 that may be maintained at an at least partial vacuum 70. Thisinterstitial space 64 can also be filled or partially filled with aninsulating material 72 similar to those materials described above.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2-6, the outer glazing member 28 is typicallyconfigured to define a contact surface 32 that is used to receive amagnetic seal 34 of an operable panel 36 for the appliance 14, such as adoor 90 or drawer 92. Through this configuration, the magnetic seal 34for the operable panel 36 engages the smooth contact surface 32 of theouter glazing member 28 to define a substantially consistent seal at thecontact surface 32. According to various aspects of the device, theinterstitial space 64 defined between the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 can include a magnetic material 100 that can be used tomagnetically engage a magnet 104 defined within the magnetic seal 34 ofthe operable panel 36. This magnetic material 100 can be a type ofmagnet 104 or can be a ferromagnetic material 102 that is disposedwithin the interstitial space 64.

As exemplified in FIG. 5, the structural cabinet 12 can include a heatloop 110 that runs through a portion of the structural cabinet 12 nearthe trim breaker 10. This heat loop 110 is used to provide a heatingfunction that emits heat 112 toward the contact surface 32 of thestructural cabinet 12. Heat 112 provided to the contact surface 32 bythe heat loop 110 is used to prevent condensation from forming on thecontact surface 32. This condensation can result from a temperaturedifference that may exist between the surface of the structural cabinet12 and the areas surrounding the exterior of the structural cabinet 12.If condensation forms on the contact surface 32, this condensation canaccumulate and pool in an area on the floor in front of the appliance14. Using the heat loop 110, the contact surface 32 can be at leastpartially heated to minimize any temperature difference and prevent theaccumulation of condensation on the contact surface 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the trim breaker 10 that is formed bythe outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 that are bonded or adhered tothe liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 can include a mullion member 120that extends through a central area of the trim breaker 10. In formingthis trim breaker 10 having the mullion member 120, the trim breaker 10can include a single wrapper portion 26 that extends around theperimeter of the trim breaker 10. The liner portion 24 of the trimbreaker 10 can include multiple separate aperture members 122 that canbe used to define apertures 124 for accessing separate insulatedcompartments 68 that will be defined within the appliance 14. The outerand inner glazing members 28, 40 can then be positioned between thewrapper portion 26 and the two or more aperture members 122 of the linerportion 24 to form the trim breaker 10 having at least one mullionmember 120. Where the mullion member 120 is included, the wrapperportion 26 of the trim breaker 10 is welded to the outer wrapper 22.Each aperture member 122 of the liner portion 24 can be welded to arespective inner liner 20 that forms each insulated compartment 68 ofthe appliance 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the trim breaker 10 that is formed bythe liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 can be used to define a trim breaker 10 for an insulatedoperable panel 36. In such an embodiment, the trim breaker 10 can beused to define the location of the operable panel 36 where the magneticseal 34 is attached. Similar to the structural cabinet 12, the operablepanel 36 can include an inner liner 20 and an outer wrapper 22 that areeach welded to the wrapper and liner portions 26, 24, respectively, todefine an insulating cavity 18 within the operable panel 36. The trimbreaker 10 having the outer and inner glazing members 28, 40 can be usedto define the trim breaker 10 that extends between the inner liner 20and the outer wrapper 22.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4 and 6, the glazing receptacle 80 that isdefined by the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker 10can include various geometries that can be used to extend between theinner and outer glazing members 40, 28 and the inner liner 20 and outerwrapper 22. Various fillets, chamfers, and other similar roundedgeometries can be used to extend between the outer and inner glazingmembers 28, 40 and the inner liner 20 and outer wrapper 22.Additionally, the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26 of the trim breaker10 can include a recessed portion 130 that is configured to receive theouter glazing member 28 in a substantially flush configuration with theouter surface 60 of the liner and wrapper portions 24, 26. It is alsocontemplated that the outer glazing member 28 can be attached to theliner and wrapper portions 24, 26 and stand proud of the liner andwrapper portions 24, 26. In such a configuration, the outer glazingmember 28 may include rounded or angled edges that can be incorporatedto prevent nicks, chips, and scratches from occurring within outer edgesof the outer glazing member 28.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4-6, the structural cabinet 12 can include aninsulating material 72 that is disposed within the insulating cavity 18.This insulating material 72 can be any one of various materials that caninclude, but are not limited to, one or more insulating gasses, foaminsulation, fumed silica, precipitated silica, other silica-basedmaterial, perlite, glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, combinationsthereof and other similar insulating materials 72. It is contemplatedthat these insulating materials 72 contained within the insulatingcavity 18 defined by the structural cabinet 12 can substantially fillthe entire insulating cavity 18. In this manner, the insulating material72 can directly engage the interior surface 132 of the inner glazingmember 40.

According to various aspects of the device, the trim breaker 10disclosed herein incorporates the at least one structural glass member16 to be used within various appliances 14. Such appliances 14 caninclude, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, coolers,ovens, dishwashers, laundry appliances, small appliances, combinationsthereof, and other similar commercial and residential appliances andfixtures.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerating appliance comprising: an innerliner; an outer wrapper; and a trim breaker extending between the innerliner and the outer wrapper to define an insulating cavity therebetween,the trim breaker comprising: a liner portion coupled with the innerliner; a wrapper portion coupled to the outer wrapper; an outer glazingmember that extends between the liner and wrapper portions, wherein anexternal surface of the outer glazing member defines a contact surfacethat is configured to receive a seal of an operable panel in a closedposition; and an inner glazing member that is coupled to the liner andwrapper portions, wherein an interior surface of the inner glazingmember partially defines the insulating cavity, wherein the outer andinner glazing members define an interstitial space therebetween, andwherein the interstitial space defines an at least partial vacuum. 2.The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the outer glazing memberengages an outer surface of the liner and wrapper portions and the innerglazing member engages an inner surface of the liner and wrapperportions.
 3. The refrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein the innerglazing member is tempered glass.
 4. The refrigerating appliance ofclaim 1, wherein the liner and wrapper portions are welded to the innerliner and the outer wrapper, respectively.
 5. The refrigeratingappliance of claim 1, wherein the outer glazing member is glass.
 6. Therefrigerating appliance of claim 1, wherein a heat loop is positionedproximate the outer glazing member to selectively heat the contactsurface.